ES2953326T3 - Sheet clamping element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a film tensioning element (10), in particular for performing dental work in the oral cavity of a patient, with a buccal ring (16) and a labial ring (14), between which and possibly beyond of which there is a film (12), in particular essentially annular or tubular in shape, which is held in tension by the rings (14, 16), the film (12) and the rings (14, 16) being elastically deformable. The film (12) has a constriction (18) that extends radially inward in at least one area between the labial ring (14) and the vestibular ring (16), at least in which area the film (12) is free of tension and in a piece between its inner surface (36) oriented radially inwards and its outer surface (38) oriented radially outwards, and in particular is free of supports and/or inserts. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Sheet clamping element

The invention relates to a sheet fastening element according to the preamble of claim 1.

A foil holding element has been used successfully for over ten years under the name OPTRAGATE, to allow free access to the patient's mouth during dental treatments in a patient's oral cavity. It consists of a vestibular ring and a labial ring, between which a lamina extends. In this element, the sheet is mounted in a mobile and elastic manner with respect to both rings. To avoid allergic alterations, it does not contain latex.

WO 03/051185 A1 relates to a lip and cheek expander for use during the performance of dental medicine, dental hygiene or dental documentation activities.

DE 3329919 A1 relates to a lip balm for use during medical or surgical treatment of the teeth and/or mouth or throat.

Furthermore, a film fastening element is known from EP 3666 221 A1, in which an elastic band is integrated into the film. The elastic band bends the sheet, so that the sheet alone has a greater holding force. The radially inward pulling of the elastic band on the sheet results in a constriction of both the elastic band and the sheet so that the radially outward pressure on the lips is reduced.

Compared to the other embodiments described in the mentioned document, this embodiment has the disadvantage that it is comparatively complicated and expensive to produce. Furthermore, the folded elastic band causes permanent tension within the sheet and the band. During the storage period, this constriction effect can relax and lose its function.

It would be possible to integrate the elastic band into the sheet, for example by welding. However, the clamping force directed radially inwards leads to the formation of folds, which is why this solution with the folded elastic band has not prevailed, but rather one of the other embodiments described in the aforementioned claim.

On the contrary, the invention is based on the object of creating a sheet fastening element according to the preamble of claim 1, which improves the quality of use of the sheet fastening element.

This object is solved by claim 1 according to the invention. Advantageous developments result from the dependent claims.

Surprisingly, the combination of the measures according to the invention results in, on the one hand, providing the sheet itself with a constriction extending radially inwards and, on the other hand, producing the sheet without tension, i.e. that the constriction in the sheet results without tension, without a clamping force having to be applied by an elastic band that thickens the sheet, the advantage being that no folds develop, but nevertheless no pressure is exerted on the lips radially towards the abroad.

Surprisingly, there was also an additional advantage, namely that it is possible to save material. The sheet can have a constant material thickness along its path, and this results in a saving of material both compared to the embodiment shown according to Fig. 6 in EP 3666 221 A1, as well as as even in comparison with the classic OPTRAGATE solution, in which the lamella between the buccal ring and the labial ring extends in the shape of a truncated cone, when the lamella fastening element is clamped in one of the rings.

The sheet fastener is a mass production product. From an industrial point of view, this material saving is therefore significant and allows for a significant reduction in production costs.

The lamina extends in a known manner in a ring-shaped or tube-shaped manner between the labial ring and the vestibular ring.

In an advantageous configuration it is provided that the constriction is provided only partially on the circumference. As is known, a half-open mouth has an essentially oval shape. This shape can now be taken into account, because the constriction is in the center, that is, it extends over an upper and lower quadrant, when the sheet fastening element is inserted into the mouth, and no constriction is provided at the area of the two outer quadrants. As a result, a particularly scan-friendly configuration can be realized, which also makes it possible to scan lateral areas of the patient's mouth.

Preferably, the thickness of the sheet material is constant throughout the sheet.

The thickness of the material may be between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, for example, and preferably between 0.3 and 0.4 mm. The thickness of the film material of a film fastener used for children is preferably slightly smaller, for example 0.2 or 0.3 mm. As a result, the clamping force of the film is reduced and, surprisingly, even with such a small configuration of the film clamping element according to the invention, there are no folds, or at most very small folds.

According to the invention, it is also particularly favorable that the point at which the constriction is carried out can be adapted in wide ranges to the requirements. In a preferred configuration, the constriction extends more adjacent to the buccal ring than to the labial ring. This makes it possible to configure the buccal ring with a comparatively small diameter, which in turn leads to material savings. The diameter reduction may be, for example, between 10 and 20 percent.

In another configuration, the constriction is provided near the labial ring.

Due to the fact that the sheet is free of overlaps and/or inserts, its holding force under load is constant throughout its extension. This applies both in the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the direction between the vestibular ring and the labial ring, and in the tangential direction, i.e. circumferentially.

This also leads to the applied stresses being absorbed uniformly over the entire length. As a result, the sheet is uniformly loaded by the tension applied radially inward. Therefore, the load per unit area is significantly lower than if an additional elastic band were intensively connected to the sheet.

The constant thickness provided in an advantageous configuration has the particular advantage that the tear resistance increases compared to the previously described solution. With this measure it is also possible to reduce production costs, because despite the same size, with the same weight of material, the solution with the thickening is less resistant to tearing than the solution according to the invention.

While a fluctuation in the thickness of the material of, for example, 10 percent, does not matter as far as the stability of the sheet is concerned, a significant thickening in the form of an elastic band, extending for example over a third of the length of the sheet in the longitudinal direction, constitutes the remaining part of the weakened sheet; The stretching of the film occurs practically exclusively in the remaining two-thirds of the film, at least when the thickness of the thickening material, for example due to the integrated elastic insert, is three times the thickness of the remaining film.

In this regard, the tear resistance of the sheet fastener of the previously known solution is only about two-thirds of the tear resistance of the sheet fastener according to the invention, despite the higher total weight.

The depth of the constriction can be adapted in wide ranges to the requirements. Therefore, depth can also have an oval path, so to speak. In this regard, in a first configuration, it is larger in the central area of the mouth and smaller in the lateral area.

In a second configuration, these relationships are reversed.

It is also possible to provide the depth of the constriction, seen in the tangential direction, differently from the beginning, with smooth transitions between the different depths, and by using the blade holding element in and inside the patient's mouth, rotate the sheet fastening element in such a way that the comfort of use is the best. Due to the different configurations of patients' mouths, an optimized patient-specific adaptation can be achieved with this measure.

The production of the sheet fastening element according to the invention can be carried out in any way. For example, the sheet can be produced by an injection molding process, in which the injection mold determines the subsequent tension-free shape configuration of the sheet in the flaccid state. The rings can be inserted into the injection mold and overmolded.

Instead, a dipping process or blow molding process is also possible.

It is also possible, in particular cases, to provide the sheet with different thicknesses, seen around its circumference, whereby here the differences are preferably not more than 20 percent, and smooth transitions between the different thicknesses of the sheets are provided.

For the particularly good tear resistance of the film described above, it is important that the film has a constant thickness, seen in the longitudinal direction. The greatest applied tension is created by the patient's lip, which tensions the sheet in a longitudinal direction.

If the thickness path is to be selected differently in the longitudinal direction, it is preferable to limit the fluctuation and differences to /- 20 percent here as well.

In another advantageous configuration, a network structure of the film is provided. This is particularly preferably carried out in such a way that the meshes of the network have a wall thickness of the film that is smaller than the meshwork of the network. This does not affect the sealing effect of the film according to the invention, but the strength-to-weight ratio is further improved.

This applies in particular when the network structure is determined taking into account a calculation based on the finite element method.

The radial depth of the constriction can be adapted to the requirements in wide ranges. It is measured as a reduction in diameter compared to a standard OPTRAGATE sheet fastener, i.e. the sheet fastener according to the state of the art.

This extends in the shape of a truncated cone, at least when suspended from the labial ring or the vestibular ring, without additional traction forces and/or tensions being applied.

When the sheet fastening element according to the invention is held suspended from the labial ring or the buccal ring without the application of additional tensile forces and/or tensions, it has a shape with a constriction extending radially inward.

The depth of the constriction may be 5 to 35% of the diameter of the labial ring, in particular about 15%.

According to the invention, it is particularly favorable if the sheet is extended in one piece. The one-piece construction is applied in all directions, that is, in the direction parallel to the axis between the buccal ring and the labial ring, in the tangential direction but also in the direction of its thickness.

This means that the sheet is also of a single piece between its inner surface that points radially inward and its outer surface that points radially outward, and has no overlays and/or inserts. The one-piece construction prevents or reduces a stress gradient within the sheet. In this way, tear resistance is increased and stress peaks do not occur at any point, but, on the contrary, the applied stresses are balanced.

The constriction according to the invention can also be considered as a concavity or as a notch. What is important is the change in diameter, seen along the axis. Starting from the labial ring, the diameter of the lamina initially decreases without any point of discontinuity and initially in a monotonically decreasing manner. The diameter of the lamina is smaller in the area of the deepest constriction. There is a turning point here, but not a point of discontinuity either. From this inflection point, the diameter of the lamina increases again, up to the vestibular ring.

Even if other curved shapes of the blade are possible in this regard, the embodiment of a chain line or a V with a rounded tip is preferred.

Other advantages, details and characteristics of the invention result from the following description of several embodiment examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

They are shown in:

Fig. 1 a schematic three-dimensional linear representation of an embodiment of a sheet fastening element according to the invention;

Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C a sectional representation of 3 embodiments of a sheet fastening element according to the invention; and

Fig. 3 a side view of another embodiment of a sheet fastening element according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a sheet fastening element 10, which consists of a sheet 12, a labial ring 14 and a buccal ring 16 in a manner known per se. The sheet clamping element 10 as a whole is ring-shaped, whereby the basic structure essentially corresponds to a circular ring, but in a modified embodiment it can also have a different ring shape, such as, for example, a oval or elliptical shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the buccal ring 16 has a diameter somewhat smaller than the labial ring 14 in a manner also known per se.

According to the invention, the sheet 12 is constrained between the two rings 14 and 16.

In the example embodiment shown, this constriction 18 is designed symmetrically, so that the deepest point of the constriction 18 is midway between the labial ring 14 and the vestibular ring 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, the constriction 18 is designed circumferentially in the form of a ring, so that the smallest diameter of the sheet clamping element is in the region of the constriction 18, i.e. at all points of the clamping element. sheet holder 10 in the form of a ring.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the constriction 18 runs essentially in the shape of a V. The deepest point of the V 20 of the constriction 18 is provided with a radius 22, which is less than the depth of the constriction. 18 in the example embodiment represented.

The position and shape of the sheet clamping element 10 shown in Fig. 1 result when the sheet clamping element 10 is de-tensioned. If, for example, the labial ring 14 is placed on a base, and the sheet fastening element 10 is raised above the buccal ring 16, until the shape shown in Fig. 1 is obtained, the sheet 12 is no tension (apart from its very low self-weight). In this way, the sheet 12 is without folds or almost without folds, and the constriction 18 is represented as a particular preformed shape of the sheet 12.

The sheet fastening element 10 can be produced, for example, in an injection molding process. The lip ring 14 and the buccal ring 16 are then preferably placed in the injection mold and overmolded with the sheet material 12. The sheet material 12 is elastic and comparatively soft in a manner known per se, while The rings 14 and 16 consist of a plastic material which is comparatively harder.

The injection mold is designed in such a way that the thickness of the sheet 12, starting from the rings 14 and 16, tapers continuously and in a smooth transition. The taper area can be kept small, for example, and can correspond approximately to the thickness of each ring 14 and 16. With this solution, a structure of the sheet 12 optimized in terms of load capacity with little material expenditure is possible.

A standard OptraGate sheet fastener would have a conical structure without constriction 18, in the representation according to Fig. 1.

The resilience of the sheet fastening element 10 according to the invention is at least as good. However, the material expenditure is somewhat less, approximately 10 to 20%, depending on the depth of the constriction 18. Due to the reduction in diameter in the area of the constriction 18, less material is required.

Compared to the sheet fastening element 10 also known according to the aforementioned patent publication, which shows a folded elastic band, the material expenditure is significantly lower, since no elastic band is used, but the sheet 12 On its extension between rings 14 and 16, apart from the conicity 24 mentioned above, it has a continuous and constant thickness.

Surprisingly, the constriction 18 provided in the center, which is preferably V-shaped, results in an extremely easy-to-wear adaptation to the patient's lips, which reduces lip pressure and therefore increases acceptance.

Surprisingly, the central radius 22 makes it possible to achieve a clear improvement with respect to an asymmetrically arranged elastic band.

The main advantage of the invention is that, by means of a corresponding tool configuration, for example the injection mold, the constriction can be central, but also not non-central, i.e., for example, partially closer to one of the two rings. or, if necessary, with different V depths. It may also be only partially present, in general.

Since the thickness of the sheet 12 is essentially constant throughout its entire length between the two rings 14 and 16, the applied stresses are distributed uniformly. In this regard, the resilience according to the invention is also surprisingly improved compared to the elastic band solution, despite the higher material expenditure.

For the sake of clarification, it should be noted that the additional lines depicted in Fig. 1, for example lines 30 and 32, are purely contour lines that are intended to clarify the shape of the clamping element. sheet 10, but are not actually present in the sheet fastening element 10. Rather, the sheet 12 actually extends smoothly and without overlaps and transitions between the rings 14 and 16, but also along its shape. ring.

Two different shapes of sheet fastening elements 10 can be seen in section in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B.

Fig. 2A shows a sheet fastening element 10 with a sheet 12, which extends between the rings 14 and 16 with a constriction 18, essentially in the shape of a V 20. The deepest point of the V 20 is located at the example of embodiment represented in the middle between the rings 14 and 16. The depth 34 of the constriction 18 is more than 15 times the thickness of the sheet 12, in the example of embodiment represented. By “thickness” we mean the extension of the sheet 12 between its inner surface 36 that points radially inwards and its outer surface 38 that points radially outwards. Within this thickness, the sheet 12 is spread homogeneously from a unitary material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness of the sheet 12 is constant between the rings 14 and 16, if necessary, apart from the associated conicities 24 and 26. However, in the embodiment according to Fig. 2A no taper 24 and 26 is provided; rather, in this exemplary embodiment, each ring 14 and 16 is flattened such that the sheet 12 then extends away from the ring with an essentially constant thickness.

On the contrary, the thickness of the rings 14 and 16 in both the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and the embodiment according to Fig. 2B is greater than the thickness of the sheet 12, therefore that conicities 24 and 26 are preferably provided.

In the exemplary embodiment shown according to Fig. 2A, the thickness of the sheet 12 is 0.4 mm.

It is understood that other film thicknesses adapted to the size and shape of the film fasteners 10 are also possible, for example between 0.1 mm for small film fasteners, for children's mouths, and 1 mm for heavy loads or for larger mouth applications, for which such sheet fasteners 10 can also be used.

As can be seen in Fig. 2A, the length of the rings 14 and 16 along the extension of the sheet fastener 10 in the direction of the sheet 12 increases compared to the radial extension. This shape leads to greater stability against an axial arc, but still good adaptability to the shape of the patient's mouth, in particular in the area of the buccal ring 16.

A modified embodiment of the sheet fastening element 10 according to the invention can be seen in Fig. 2B. In this embodiment, the sheet 12 extends with the constriction 18, like a folded chain line between the rings 14 and 16. The rings 14 and 16 have a structure essentially circular in cross section and a thickness of 1.2mm The somewhat exaggerated depicted thickness of the sheet 12 is 0.3 mm in this embodiment. Here too the thickness is constant and free of overlaps and inserts throughout the entire length of the sheet 12 between the rings 14 and 16.

An imaginary axis 40 of the sheet fastener 10 is also shown in Fig. 2B. This also exists in the other embodiments of the sheet fastener 10, even if they are not shown there. Make it clear in which direction a radial extension or radially "pointing" is intended.

In the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 2B, the depth 34 of the constriction 18 is 30 times the thickness of the sheet 12.

Even if the deepest point of the constriction 18 extends in the middle between the rings 14 and 16, it is understood that a slight deviation from this is possible, either in the direction of the buccal ring 16 or in the direction of the labial ring 14 , without leaving the range of the invention.

In a modified embodiment, the constriction 18 is provided to be greater at the cheek point.

In an alternative embodiment, the depth 34 of the constriction 18 is provided to be greater at the point provided for the center of the mouth. Therefore, it is thickest in the patient's sagittal plane area.

Even if the constriction 18 is provided here with a constant depth 34 over the entire ring-shaped path of the sheet 12, i.e. in the circumferential direction or in the tangential direction, in another embodiment it is provided to vary the depth 34 of constriction 18, about the shape of the ring. The constriction 18 can also extend only in the form of a partial ring.

The constriction zone 18 also does not have to extend over the entire distance between the buccal ring 16 and the labial ring 14; It is also possible to provide the constriction 18 centrally, for example, with an extension parallel to the smaller axis.

Fig. 2C shows another embodiment of a sheet fastening element 10 according to the invention. In this embodiment, constriction 18 is significantly deeper. The depth 34 is more than half the distance between the labial ring 14 and the buccal ring 16. In the embodiments according to Figs. 2A and 2B, the depth 34 is only about 15% of the distance between the labial ring 14 and the vestibular ring 16.

According to the invention, the depth 34 can be adapted to requirements in wide ranges, for example by corresponding configuration of the injection mold. According to the invention, the depth 34 may preferably be between 8% and 80% of the distance between the labial ring 14 and the buccal ring 16.

On the other hand, the constriction with its center of gravity in the embodiment according to Fig. 2C is significantly closer to the labial ring 14 than to the buccal ring 16. The labial ring 14 is larger than the buccal ring 16. By the fact that the diameter of the blade 12 drops sharply from the labial ring 14, for example, to half the diameter of the labial ring 14, within a quarter of the distance between the labial ring 14 and the buccal ring 16 .

This large diameter drop saves a considerable amount of sheet material.

In the represented embodiments of Figs. 1,2A, 2B and 2C, the axial zone of constriction 18 is 99% for Figs. 1 and 2B, and 100% for Figs. 2A and 2C.

As already explained with reference to Fig. 1, it is preferred that the sheet 12 has the tension-free shape shown in the figures. Due to the constriction 18, it is shaped or preformed, so to speak, pointing radially inwards without tension.

As an alternative to the injection molding process, it is also possible to produce the sheet fastening element 10 according to the invention, by means of a pressing process, a dipping process or a blow molding process.

If the sheet according to the invention is produced from silicone materials, the rings can be pre-placed in the compression mold and over-pressed.

The sheet 12 can also have different thicknesses, seen on the circumference. These different thicknesses correspond to the different depths 34 of the constriction 18.

In the direction parallel to the axis 40, however, the thickness of the sheet 12 is preferably always the same thickness between the labial ring 14 and the buccal ring 16, except, if necessary, for the tapers 24 and 26.

In a further modified configuration, it is provided that the sheet 12 has a network structure. This is preferably calculated based on the FEM method (“finite element method”), and serves to further optimize material savings. In the area of the mesh meshes, the thickness of the film 12 is then, for example, only 0.1 mm and in the area of the mesh mesh 0.3 mm.

Fig. 3 represents a different view and a somewhat modified embodiment of the sheet fastening element 10 compared to the embodiment according to Fig. 1. Here, as in the other figures, the same reference symbols point to the same or corresponding parts.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, the buccal ring 16 and the labial ring 14 are curved in the side view shown, the buccal ring 16 being slightly more curved than the labial ring 14.

In this embodiment, according to Fig. 1, tapers 26 and 24 are provided. The rings 14 and 16 are overmolded with the material of the sheet 12.

Due to the curved shape, the vestibular ring 16 can be inserted more easily into the patient's mouth, and it also more easily adopts the desired oval shape corresponding to the patient's mouth.

Claims (15)

1. A blade holding element, in particular for performing dental treatments in the oral cavity of a patient, with a buccal ring (16) and a labial ring (14) between which and, if necessary, beyond the which extends a sheet (12), which is kept tensioned by the rings (14, 16), so the sheet and the rings are elastically deformable, characterized in that the sheet (12) has a constriction that extends radially towards the interior (18), at least in one area, in the path between the labial ring (14) and the vestibular ring (16), at least in that area the sheet (12) extends without tension and in a single piece between its inner surface (36) and its outer surface (38), in particular without overlays and/or inserts. 2. The sheet fastening element according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet (12) has, in the area between the labial ring (14) and the buccal ring (16), an essentially constant thickness, that is, /- 20. %, in particular constant, and/or that the sheet (12) has a smaller diameter in the constriction (18) than in the rings (14, 16). 3. The sheet fastening element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the constriction area (18) has a ring shape or a partial ring shape. 4. The sheet fastening element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area of the constriction (18) extends over less than 99% and more than 30% of the distance between the vestibular ring (16) and the lip ring (14). 5. The sheet fastening element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the depth (34) of the constriction (18), in particular seen radially inwards, is variable in the circumference of the sheet (12). 6. The sheet fastening element according to claim 5, characterized in that the depth (34) of the constriction (18) is greater at the point intended for the cheeks. 7. The sheet fastening element according to claim 5, characterized in that the depth (34) of the constriction (18) is greater at the point intended for the center of the mouth, that is, in and around the sagittal plane. 8. The sheet fastening element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the constriction (18) molds the sheet (12) radially, towards the interior without tension and/or the point of greatest depth (34) of the constriction. It is in the middle between the rings (14, 16) or displaced towards the labial ring (14) with respect to the center. 9. The sheet fastening element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet (12), seen in a section through the labial ring (14) and the vestibular ring (16), extends in a flaccid state, like a chain line, or that the sheet (12), seen in a longitudinal section parallel to an axis (40) of the sheet fastening element (10), extends essentially in a V shape (20). 10. The sheet fastening element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet (12) is produced by an injection molding process, a pressing process, a dipping process or a blow molding process. 11. The sheet fastening element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet (12) has different thicknesses, seen at its circumference, between the labial ring (14) and the vestibular ring (16). 12. The sheet fastening element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the constriction (18), the sheet (12), has a maximum depth (34) of at least 5 times, in particular at least 10 times and particularly preferably at least 15 times the maximum thickness of the sheet (12). 13. The sheet fastening element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the constriction (18), the sheet (12) has different thicknesses, that is, wall thicknesses, seen around its circumference. 14. The sheet fastening element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet (12) has a network structure, which is determined, in particular, taking into account a calculation based on the FEM method. 15. The sheet fastening element according to claim 14, characterized in that the meshes of the network have a smaller wall thickness than the framework of the network.